Losing The Light

Chapter 5

Dominion was a large, two story venue and nightclub with a rooftop terrace. It seemed popular, if the line out front was anything to judge by. Rane walked with Lukys past the line, and the cloying feeling of the humans' baser emotions surprised him. He didn't usually feel things like that, but there were so many humans feeling so many filthy things that even his bound and blunted demon powers could sense it.

The doorman was at a podium, and watched them skip the line with narrowed eyes. Lukys pulled out his badge, as did Rane.

"We need to speak with Azmael," the half-angel said. "We heard he's in tonight."

Maintaining his professional facade, the doorman asked them to wait and went inside.

"Do you think he'll turn us away?" Rane looked around. Anxiety was making him fidget, but he tried to quell the urge. I have nothing to fear. My bindings are airtight, even Lukys said so.

"No," Lukys shook his head.

"You sound sure."

"Devils are troublesome. They like causing mayhem and they like stirring up chaos. He might use us to get information, give us misleading answers, try to prod us into anger, or any number of things. But sending us away would leave him without the opportunity to amuse himself."

"Hm." Rane tried not to let that cynical assessment mess with his heart rate. He was already nervous enough as it was. Even his palms were sweaty, and that hardly ever happened. Hearing Lukys say with full confidence that the Devil would do his best to create chaos was only making things worse.

Calm down. Rane pretended to be one of the human crime analysts. I'm just doing a job. I don't find it pleasant, but I am motivated by a desire for justice. I am in control. The lie was like a mantra in his head, running on repeat to drown out his other thoughts.

Rane tried to get his head back in the game. "Tell me about Azmael. What do we know about him, other than what you've told me?"

"He's of the Asmodeus line," Lukys said gravely. "Do you know the lore behind the original seven houses?" When Rane shook his head, Lukys continued. "Each house was associated with one of the seven deadly sins. Some legends say that each family began with a Devil who was that sin personified, but most historians agree that isn't true. Whatever the reason, each house had a different sin. For instance, the Belphegor line is associated with sloth. The Asmodeus house chose lust."

Rane raised his brow and was startled into a laugh. "So... he's horny?"

Lukys gave him a tepid smile, but was clearly too focused to be amused. He shook his head. "No, and that's an important point. Azmael won't be consumed by lust, or controlled by it. Lust isn't his vice, or his weakness. It's his weapon, and his tool. He can use brute force, or fear or wrath or any of the other Devil abilities, but he prefers to use lust. He will manipulate the world around him with it. He will attempt to manipulate you with it."

"Not both of us?" Rane felt his nerves rising again.

"He wouldn't like me," and at this, Lukys did relax enough to smile. "I'm part angel. He wouldn't be able to stomach the thought."

The doorman reappeared before Rane could reply, which was good because he was certain he was about to say something about how he thought Lukys was definitely handsome enough to try and control using lust. Which was a very weird thing to say, he knew.

The human doorman cleared his throat pointedly. "Follow me, please."

"Just be aware," Lukys said quickly as they followed behind, "Devils are master tricksters. Looks can be deceiving with them, especially one this powerful."